n of it--not, certainly, that I had in those latter years
of my life any fallacious expectation of making converts on the
subject, but that I felt constrained at that juncture to bear my
testimony to the miserable nature and results of the system, of
which so many of my countrymen and women were becoming the
sentimental apologists.

It being now settled that I was not to return to the plantation, my
thoughts had hardly reverted to the prospect of a winter in England
when I received the news of my father's return from the Continent,
and dangerous illness in London; so that, I was told, unless I could
go to him immediately, there was but little probability of my ever
seeing him again. The misfortune I had so often anticipated now
seemed to have overtaken me, and instant preparation for my leaving
America being made, and an elderly lady, with whom I had become
connected by my marriage, having exerted her influence in my behalf,
I was not allowed, under such painful circumstances, again to cross
the Atlantic alone, but returned with a very heavy heart to my own
country, but with the comfort of being accompanied by my whole
family.

The news that met me on my arrival was that my father was at the
point of death, that he would not probably survive twenty-four
hours, and that it was altogether inexpedient that he should see
me, as, if he recognized me, which was doubtful, my unexpected
appearance, it having been impossible to prepare him for it, might
only be the means of causing him a violent and perhaps painful shock
of nervous agitation. This terrible verdict, pronounced by three of
the most eminent medical men of the day, Bright, Liston, and Wilson,
was a dreadful close to all the anxious days and hours of the sea
voyage, during which I had hoped and prayed to be again permitted to
embrace my father. But in my deep distress, I could not help
remembering that, after all, his physicians, able as they were, had
not the keys of life and death. And so it proved: my father made an
almost miraculous rally, recovered, and survived the sentence
pronounced against him for many years.

Not many days after our arrival, his improved condition admitted of
his being told of my return, and allowed to see me. Cadaverous is
the only word that describes the appearance to which acute suffering